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The Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Body Image: A Comprehensive Review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 August 2025

M. Demetriou ,
V. Anagnostopoulou ,
V. Markatis ,
M. Peyioti  and
P. Argitis
M. Demetriou*
Affiliation:
Psychiatry Department, General Hospital of Corfu, Corfu
V. Anagnostopoulou
Affiliation:
Psychiatry Department, General Hospital of Corfu, Corfu
V. Markatis
Affiliation:
Psychiatry Department, General Hospital of Corfu, Corfu
M. Peyioti
Affiliation:
University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece
P. Argitis
Affiliation:
Psychiatry Department, General Hospital of Corfu, Corfu
*
*Corresponding author.

Abstract

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Introduction

Social media has become a powerful influence on adolescent body image. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok, which focus on appearance, often promote idealized body standards, leading young users to internalize unrealistic beauty ideals. This has resulted in increasing body dissatisfaction and negative mental health outcomes, as adolescents seek validation through likes and comments.

Objectives

This review examines how social media exposure affects body image and emotional wellbeing in adolescents, particularly whether it contributes to negative outcomes like low self-esteem, body dissatisfaction, and mental health issues.

Methods

A review of international studies published in the last five years was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar. Search terms included “social media,” “body image dissatisfaction,” “mental health,” and “adolescents.” A total of 26 studies that met the criteria were analyzed.

Keywords

social media, body image dissatisfaction, adolescents, mental health, eating disorders, self-esteem, COVID-19

Results

The studies consistently revealed a strong link between frequent social media use and negative body image. Both male and female adolescents reported increased body dissatisfaction, though most studies focused on females. Social media exposure was also linked to higher risks of eating disorders and a drive for thinness.

Frequent users of appearance-focused platforms experienced reduced self-esteem and heightened levels of anxiety and depression, with social comparison behavior worsening these effects. Adolescents’ body image was further influenced by peer and parental validation, with peer approval playing a critical role in shaping their self-perception. The negative impacts of social media were particularly exacerbated during the COVID-19 lockdown due to increased isolation.

Conclusions

Social media platforms centered on appearance have a significant negative impact on adolescents’ body image and mental health. These findings highlight the need for interventions promoting media literacy, critical social media engagement, and support from parents and educators to mitigate these effects.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared

Information

Type
Abstract
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 68 , Special Issue S1: Abstracts of the 33rd European Congress of Psychiatry , April 2025 , pp. S548
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of European Psychiatric Association
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